FDOH-Lee issues blue-green algae alerts for Davis and Alva Boat Ramps

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued two health alerts regarding the presence of blue-green algal toxins in the Caloosahatchee River.

The first alert is for Davis Boat Ramp, and the other impacts Alva Boat Ramp. The public should be cautious in these areas based on water samples taken on Jan. 24.

Blue-green algae blooms can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals. For more information on the effects of blue-green algae exposure, you can check this page.

Below is a list of precautions the health department recommends:

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski, or boat in waters with a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
• Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different water source when algae blooms are present.
• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

For more notifications about other algal blooms or beach conditions, follow this link. If you need to report a bloom, you can do so by calling 855-305-3903 or going to this website.